So! who wants to be a Bristows cojoe?
Helimuster said it....
they didn't want him cause he is on the wrong (albeit closer to the start...) side of 40. Surely a company wanting "long term employees" would see that a guy who is keen, regardless of age, still has about 20yrs of aviation left in him.
Again recently a good mate was denied a cojoe position with Llyods because he didn't have 300hrs.(!?) Who the hell came up with a number like 300hrs. Why not 200hrs? Whats the difference in the skill and learning ability of a 200 or 1000hr pilot? I've heard the excuse is that a 300hr guy can apply for an ATPL later on. Surely in the time it will take to get to that stage he could reasonably seek parttime work elsewhere to attain those hours, or Lloyds could offer ICUS.
Personally, I turned down Bristows Australia because the likelyhood of 5yrs as a cojoe is a major negative on a CV and ones state of mind. It makes "captaincy" appear a unique and devine status only to be bestowed to the very exceptional of us out there. What a load of s**t. I turned down the cojoe position when the finer details were discussed and I figured that 5yrs is a lifetime in aviation and there is absolutely no way anyone can guarantee that they will hold the same contracts past that period. Plenty of Llyods drivers will remember the layoffs in the late 90's as testiment.
Regardless, I am VERY glad I said no. I subsequently was offered work for another international firm who considered my aviation experience (including 1500hrs of 76 time as cojoe, nil as twin command) to be more than enough for an immediate captaincy for their contracts. I thought I was the junior until I met other captains who are 29 and just 30! Unheard of in OZ or NZ.
I fly the same aircraft on jobs that are more interesting and technical than the repeditive offshore industry, the pay is comparable, you get more than enough NVFR and IFR and you are home with the kids each night. Why could my home industry not offer this? WHAT IS THE PROBLEM!!!
I don't mean to sound negative to the opportunities handed out by Bristows but since they have been rejected by qualified, experienced staff for over a year; perhaps it is time for the large companies and the Australasian industry in general, to wake up to the mass exodus of young qualified twin drivers heading overseas and get realistic to the changing aviation environment back home.
Rant over.